Local government advocate says property tax proposal would make Florida ‘more unaffordable’ City and county governments in Florida face significant financial challenges if Governor Ron DeSantis’ plan to reduce property taxes for permanent residents is approved by lawmakers and later ratified by voters as a constitutional amendment. The proposal, unveiled last week, would provide a $150,000 homestead exemption for homeowners by 2027 and a $250,000 exemption starting in 2028. Advocates for local governments warned that the measure could severely strain municipal budgets, as the exemptions would cost counties an estimated $4.8 billion annually by 2030-31, according to the Florida Policy Institute. The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) projected a $4.6 billion annual loss by fiscal year 2028-29. Local government leaders argued the plan represents a “tax shift” rather than a genuine cut, as it disproportionately benefits homeowners while leaving renters and small businesses without relief. Jeff Scala, deputy director of the FAC, criticized the proposal during a webinar, stating, “This isn’t a full plan. In that magic fund, legislators are going to be forced to pick winners and losers amid thousands of funding requests among the 67 counties.” He emphasized that the trust fund proposed to offset revenue losses is not a guaranteed solution, as it relies on future legislative decisions and could be raided during economic downturns. The plan’s funding restrictions further complicate its impact.#ron_desantis #florida_policy_institute #florida_association_of_counties #florida_league_of_cities #florida_taxation_and_budget_reform_commission
